On October 29, Square Enix and Final Fantasy XVI Producer Naoki Yoshida explained the world and characters of the PS5 JRPG, with the official site finally opening, and a short post on PlayStation Blog. New key visuals and illustrations were published as well. We detailed everything below.
Final Fantasy XVI is set in the world of Valisthea, a world blessed in the light of the Mothercrystals. They're the usual Final Fantasy crystals, but huuuuuge. They're actual mountains towering across the realms for generations, and blessing them with Aether, the energy source of the world. Aether allows people to use Magicks which provides them comfortable lives.
The history of Valisthea is riddled with countless wars over the Mothercrystals. Six great powers have formed around each Mothercrystal, and an uneasy peace of long reigned between them, with occasional skirmishes. However, this peace is now threatened by the spread of the ruinous Blight. What the Blight actually is though, Square Enix and Naoki Yoshida didn't elaborate yet.
Following next is an explanation of Eikons, such as that Phoenix seen in the reveal trailer. Eikons are the most powerful creatures in Valisthea, the world of Final Fantasy XVI. Naoki Yoshida explained Eikons are the usual classic Final Fantasy summons. So far, Phoenix, Shiva, Titan and Ifrit, were revealed. However, he didn't specify yet how many Eikons there will be in total.
Eikons reside in persons called Dominants, who are able to harness their power. Dominants are either revered leaders of the great powers, or feared and enslaved as tools of war. Sometimes even assassinated. Dominants cannot escape their fate. Plus, it looks like Dominants can also allow normal people to use part of their Eikon's power.
There are six realms, or great powers, in Valisthea
Note that the names of the Eikons for the Dominants in Sanbreque and Waloed were purposefully hidden by Square Enix.
The Grand Duchy of Rosaria
Long ago, a group of small independent provinces in western Valisthea found strength in unity, and formed the Grand Duchy of Rosaria. After years of relative prosperity, the duchy now finds itself threatened by the spread of the Blight—a threat that, left unchecked, would doubtless usher the realm to ruin. Rosaria draws its aether from Drake's Breath, a Mothercrystal situated on a volcanic island off the coast. The Dominant of the Phoenix, Eikon of Fire, is enthroned as Archduke when they come of age.
The Holy Empire of Sanbreque
Sanbreque is the largest theocratic force in Valisthea. The Empire's holy capital Oriflamme is built around Drake's Head, the Mothercrystal that blesses the surrounding provinces with abundant aether. The people happily take advantage of this, living in comfort and security under the watchful gaze of the Holy Emperor, whom they worship as the living incarnation of the one true deity. The Dominant of ****** serves as the empire's champion, taking to the field in times of war to rout its enemies.
The Kingdom of Waloed
Waloed claims the entirety of Ash, the eastern half of Valisthea, as its dominion. The kingdom's control of the continent has oft been tested by the orcs and other beastmen who make their home there, but the current ruler of the realm—Dominant of ****** —has succeeded in quelling their rebellions. Using the power of the kingdom's Mothercrystal, Drake's Spine, this new king has built up a mighty army, with which he now seeks to test the borders of his neighbors.
The Dhalmekian Republic
The Dhalmekian Republic is made up of five states, from which the members of its ruling parliament are drawn. Its Mothercrystal, Drake's Fang, is half-hidden in the heart of a mountain range—the republic's control over it, and its aether, securing the obedience of the large part of southern Valisthea. The Dominant of Titan, Eikon of Earth, is installed as a special advisor to parliament and has a significant say in its decision-making.
The Iron Kingdom
A small group of islands off the coast of Storm, the western half of Valisthea's twin realms. Here the Crystalline Orthodox, an extreme faith that worships crystals, reigns supreme. The Iron Kingdom controls Drake's Breath, the Mothercrystal that sits at the heart of one of their islands—long a source of contention with neighboring Rosaria. Isolated and aloof from the mainland nations, the Ironblood speak their own language. Orthodox doctrine judges Dominants to be unholy abominations, and any unlucky enough to be born on the islands are executed.
The Crystalline Dominion
The Crystalline Dominion sits at the heart of Valisthea, built around the tallest of all the Mothercrystals, Drake's Tail. Many bloody battles were fought for control of this small plot of land due to its strategic importance, till the warring realms finally agreed to an armistice. As part of the peace treaty, the islands around Drake's Tail became an autonomous dominion led by a council of representatives from the surrounding nations—each realm enjoying equal claim to the Mothercrystal's blessing. No Dominant makes their home there.
Meet the main protagonist and main characters of Final Fantasy XVI
The main protagonist of Final Fantasy XVI is named Clive Rosfield
The firstborn son of the Archduke of Rosaria. Though all expected him to inherit the Phoenix's flames and awaken as its Dominant, destiny instead chose his younger brother Joshua to bear this burden. In search of a role of his own, Clive dedicated himself to mastering the blade. His practice pays off when, at just fifteen years of age, he wins the ducal tournament and is dubbed the First Shield of Rosaria—tasked to guard the Phoenix and blessed with the ability to wield a part of his fire. Alas, Clive's promising career is to end in tragedy at the hands of a mysterious dark Eikon, Ifrit, setting him on a dangerous road to revenge.
Following Clive, we have his little brother Joshua
The second son of the Archduke of Rosaria and Clive's younger brother by five years. Joshua awoke as the Dominant of the Phoenix soon after his birth. Despite his noble upbringing, Joshua treats all his father's subjects with warmth and affection—none more so than Clive, whom he deeply admires. Joshua often laments that it was he, the frail and bookish younger son, who was granted command of the firebird's flames, and not his stronger, braver brother. While Clive will gladly throw himself into any danger, Joshua quails at the sight of a carrot on his dinner plate. But carrots become the least of his concern when he, too, is swept up into the tragic events that change Clive's life forever.
Lastly, we have Jill Warrick, the childhood friend of Clive and Joshua
Born in the fallen Northern Territories, Jill was taken from her homeland at a tender age to become a ward of Rosaria, securing peace between the two warring nations. The Archduke insisted that she be raised alongside his sons, and now, at twelve years of age, she is as much a part of the Rosfield household as Clive and Joshua. Ever kind, gracious, and unassuming, Jill has become a trusted confidant to the brothers.
Final Fantasy XVI has been in development for at least 4 years. Most of the Final Fantasy 16 development team is currently working from home, and the scenario is done. Ryota Suzuki, who worked on Devil May Cry 5‘s battle system at Capcom, previously explained his role as Battle Director of Final Fantasy XVI.
Square Enix previously published messages from Naoki Yohida and Director Hiroshi Takai, and stated bigger information on the game is coming in 2021. Naoki Yoshida again stated in the new PlayStation Blog article that the next big announcement for FF16 will be in 2021.